Gorillas in the Wild: A Primate Adventure safari itinerary

Gorillas in the Wild: A Primate Adventure

Lake Mburo National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Duration
5 days
Main destinations
2
Decorative Wave Shape

Itinerary overview

This is the premium short Uganda safari itinerary because it gives you an opportunity to see the endangered Mountain gorillas in Bwindi plus enjoy the calmness in Uganda’s smallest Savannah national park of Lake Mburo.

Timeline

  • Entebbe > Kampala City

    Start / Day 1
  • Lake Mburo National Park.

    Day 2
  • Bwindi National Park.

    Day 3
  • Starting point for Gorilla tracking.

    Day 4
  • Kampala > Entebbe

    Day 5 / End
Locations

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest savanna park in Uganda. It is known for zebras and impalas, alongside buffaloes, giraffes, topis, waterbucks, leopards, hyenas, warthogs and elands. A boat safari on Lake Mburo offers opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife. En route, you may also see Uganda's distinctive long-horned Ankole cattle.

Lake Mburo National Park on this safari itinerary
Locations

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by biologically diverse rainforest and support nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. During a guided trek, you may hike for several hours to find a habituated gorilla family, then spend up to one unforgettable hour observing them before returning to the trailhead.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on this safari itinerary

Day-by-Day Itinerary Breakdown

Day One (1)
  • Arrive at Entebbe Airport.

  • Pick up from the airport by our driver guide.

  • Transfer to Kampala City which is 1 hour drive.

  • Check in at a hotel for the night.

Day Two (2)
  • Early pickup from your hotel after breakfast.

  • 4-hour drive from Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park.

  • Have a mid-morning game drive in the park seeing animals Zebras, Impalas, Giraffes, Buffaloes.

  • Lunch.

  • Have an afternoon safari boat cruise on Lake Mburo seeing Hippos, Crocodiles and many bird species.

  • After the boat cruise, proceed to the lodge.

  • Upon arrival, check in, dinner, campfire and sleep early by 9 pm.

Day Three (3)
  • 7 am Breakfast.

  • 5 hours Transfer from lake Mburo to Bwindi National Park.

  • 1 pm Arrive in Bwindi. Check in. Below are the options.

  • Have lunch, relax, read a book, etc.

  • Evening visit to Batwa community and local communities.

  • Return to the lodge, dinner and sleep early.

Day Four (4)
  • 6:30 am Breakfast.

  • 7 am Transfer to the starting point for Gorilla tracking. You will get a detailed briefing before entering the Bwindi forest to start tracking.

  • Trekking usually starts at 8am. It can take between 1 – 3 hours hike before finding the members. You will enjoy the journey in the rainforest.

  • Upon finding the gorillas, you will spend a full 1 hour with them as you watch them relax, feed and move around.

  • After, hike back to the starting point.

  • When done with the activity, you will be driven back to the safari lodge.

  • Have lunch.

  • Rest for the rest of the day.

  • Dinner and sleep.

Day Five (5)
  • Breakfast.

  • Drive back to Kampala / Entebbe.

  • Drop off at the Entebbe Airport.

Accommodation

Options in Kampala City

Budget

Eliana Hotel

Hotel Eliana, situated on Ntinda-Kiwatule Road in Kampala, Uganda, offers guests a blend of comfort and convenience. The hotel features elegant rooms, including Executive, Twin, Deluxe, and Standard options, each equipped with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and flat-screen TVs.

Mid-range

Fairway Hotel & Spa

Fairway Hotel & Spa, located on Kafu Road in Kampala, Uganda, offers guests a tranquil retreat with expansive lush gardens and an outdoor pool. The hotel provides a variety of rooms, each equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies overlooking the gardens.

High-end

Kampala Serena Hotel

The Kampala Serena Hotel, located on Kintu Road in central Kampala, Uganda, is a 5-star establishment set amidst 17 acres of landscaped grounds and water gardens. The hotel features 186 guest rooms, including 14 suites, each adorned with African artwork and private balconies offering garden views.

Options in Lake Mburo National Park

Budget

Eagle's Nest Lodge

Perched on a scenic ridge overlooking Lake Mburo National Park, Eagle's Nest Lodge offers dramatic views of Uganda’s savanna. Guests can spot wildlife on guided game drives or hikes, then unwind in cozy, safari-style tents. With warm hospitality and a commitment to nature, this lodge provides an intimate bush experience.

Mid-range

Rwakobo Rock Lodge

Rwakobo Rock Lodge sits atop a scenic outcrop near Lake Mburo National Park, blending seamlessly with the surrounding bush. Guests can relax in cozy cottages, enjoy open-air dining, and spot local wildlife from the lodge’s vantage point. With warm hospitality and a commitment to eco-friendly practices, it offers an authentic Ugandan nature getaway.

High-end

Kigambira Safari Lodge

Kigambira Safari Lodge is tucked within Lake Mburo National Park, offering serene forest views and modern safari comforts. Guests can explore the park’s abundant wildlife through guided walks or game drives, then unwind in cozy, eco-friendly accommodations. With genuine Ugandan hospitality and a commitment to nature, it delivers an immersive wilderness escape.

Options in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Budget

Rushanga Gorilla Havens Lodge

Rushanga Gorilla Havens Lodge sits near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, offering comfortable cabins amid lush greenery. Guests can trek to see mountain gorillas, explore forest trails, and immerse themselves in Uganda’s biodiversity. With warm local hospitality and an eco-friendly focus, it promises a memorable jungle getaway.

Mid-range

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge perches on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, offering panoramic forest views. Guests can embark on gorilla treks, forest hikes, and cultural experiences to explore Uganda’s natural wonders. With cozy accommodations and genuine hospitality, it provides an immersive wildlife retreat.

High-end

Four Gorillas Lodge

Four Gorillas Lodge nestles on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, providing a prime base for gorilla trekking. Guests can enjoy sweeping forest views, cozy accommodations, and local hospitality. With a focus on eco-friendly practices, it offers an unforgettable jungle escape in Uganda.

Transportation

Safari vehicles

Your transport will be either a Toyota safari van or a Toyota Land Cruiser, depending on the price option you choose.

The Toyota safari van is a safari minivan that can accommodate up to 6 passengers. The Toyota Land Cruiser is a 4x4 SUV that is ideal for 7-8 passengers. Both vehicles are equipped with pop-up roof, fridge, charging ports and AC. The vehicles are well maintained and have a professional driver. They are also equipped with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher.

Toyota tourism safari van viewed from the frontToyota Land Cruiser safari vehicleGanza Adventure safari vehicle on a game drive in East AfricaToyota Land Cruiser configured for safari travel
Important Travel Information

What to carry

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trip, we recommend packing the following items:

Comfortable closed shoes
A pair of open shoes
Light clothes for the sunny days
A few warm clothes because sometimes it gets a bit cold at night
Insect repellent
Sunglasses / hat / cap
Sunscreen
Emergency pills in case you have any medical conditions
Camera or good smartphone with storage space
Antimalarial medication

Frequently asked questions

During Your Trip

Rest assured — we’re with you every step of the way! Before your trip begins, we’ll create a dedicated WhatsApp group to connect you directly with our ganzaadventure.com support. Whether you have a question, need to adjust your itinerary, or require assistance during your journey, you’ll have direct access to our team at all times. You can also contact us anytime via WhatsApp (+491637075997) or e-mail (team@ganzaadventure.com).

ganzaadventure.com helps you discover and book safaris across Uganda and Tanzania. We collaborate with vetted local operators to ensure a seamless travel experience. After your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive comprehensive details about your itinerary, including contact information for your guides and hosts.

Your transport will be either a Toyota safari van or a Toyota Land Cruiser, depending on the price option you choose. Both are excellent options for a comfortable safari. You will find pictures of the vehicles on the itinerary pages.

Lodges & Accommodation

The accommodation options include lodges in the budget, mid-range and high-end categories. You can make your choice during your booking.

A safari lodge is a nature-focused accommodation near wildlife-rich areas, offering a blend of comfort, modern facilities, eco-conscious design, and access to safari activities such as game drives and guided walks.

Absolutely! Safari accommodations prioritize safety, often featuring security measures such as fences, night guards, and protocols for wildlife encounters. If you specifically prefer a fenced lodge, please let us know when booking, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Most high-end and mid-range lodges provide electricity, usually through solar power or generators. Budget lodges may use lanterns or have limited generator hours. In more remote areas, lodges may not offer 24-hour electricity and may turn off their generators between midnight and dawn or while guests are on game drives. If you need 24-hour electricity, please specify this when booking, and our team will assist you accordingly.

Most mid-range and high-end lodges offer Wi-Fi, though it is often limited to common areas and may be slower in remote locations.

This depends on your group size and destination. In Uganda, peak season runs from December to February and June to August, with quieter months from March to May and September to November. In Tanzania, peak season runs from June to October, with a shorter peak in January and February; the long rains from March to May and short rains from November to December are quieter. We recommend booking at least six months ahead for larger groups and peak dates, especially July to September in the Northern Serengeti.

No. After receiving your booking request, our local partners have 24–48 hours to confirm availability or provide an alternative option.

Yes - all partner lodges have bathrooms in the rooms.

Usually our bookings include full board i.e. breakfast, lunch and dinner. If anything else is the case it will be clearly stated in your itinerary.